MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the event that Gurgel and Duarte have each verbally agreed to meet in the main event of the as yet unannounced “Strikeforce Challengers 18: Gurgel vs. Duarte” event, which takes place at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and airs on Showtime.

Duarte is perhaps best known as a cast member of “The Ultimate Fighter 8,” where he was defeated by eventual finalist Phillipe Nover in a preliminary-round bout. Since that brief brush with the big time, Duarte has posted a 5-1 mark, including a Strikeforce win over Saad Awad this past April. The lone loss in that streak came via TKO in a Bellator 13 bout with Carey Vanier.

Meanwhile, Gurgel fights for the first time since a March submission win over Billy
Vaughan at “Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson.” The much-needed result
snapped a two-fight losing streak for Gurgel, who had dropped
back-to-back outing to K.J. Noons and Billy Evangelista.

Gurgel competes in Las Vegas for the first time since a November 2008
loss to Aaron Riley at UFC 91. Gurgel was released from the promotion
following the defeat, ending the Brazilian’s octagon run after seven
fights and a 3-4 record.

A total of 26 fighters got their chance to shine on Saturday as part of UFC 190 at Rio de Janeiro’s HSBC Arena. Now that UFC 190 is in the books, it’s time to commence MMAjunkie’s “Three Stars” ceremony.

The man known for cranking submissions to the point of injury added eye-gouging to his repertoire. But is the controversy of Rousimar Palhares too essential to his bizarre, awful appeal for his employers to take any meaningful action against him?